At long last, Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin is expected to make his English Premier League debut for Arsenal this Saturday against Sunderland (TV Setanta Sports USA, 9:40 am ET). AFP reports that Gunners coach Arsene Wenger expects Arshavin "to provide the ammunition to fire Arsenal back into the Premier League's top four" and "make a crucial impact in the race for the Champions League places."

The 27-year-old, who joined Arsenal in January for a $19 million transfer from 2008 UEFA champs Zenit St. Petersburg, has dressed as a substitute but has yet to see the field since playing Russian league matches in November.

"At the moment we have many players in that area injured like Cesc Fabregas, like Tomas Rosicky, like Theo Walcott, so there is a position to take as a creative midfielder," said Wenger, admitting his hand has been a bit forced due to limited personnel but confident that Arshavin can fill the role.